Hip-hop has been defined in a variety of ways. You can categorize artists for days. But indie artists are delivering some of the “realest”, if I may use the term, joints in existence. True hip-hop fans surf the internet and find their favorites, returning to their pages to peep their newest work on a regular basis. Those who prefer not to be directed to music and instead compile their own collections shouldn’t sleep on the independent artist known as R.O.
He was born David Mallory and hails from the home of east coast rap. He left New York five years ago and has found a new home in Charlotte, NC. New York has never left his heart and has made an impression on his style. While we don’t agree that the Carolina’s qualify as “the south” he says that his move there has helped him to appreciate that “dirty south” sound offered up by artists like Outkast. His biggest influences include Tupac, Biggie, and Jay-Z.
Though his SoundCloud and YouTube profiles feature his freestyles and collaborations with other artists, his best work is when it is just his baritone over the track speaking his truth about life. When he rhymes, he does it for a reason. Listeners will find a few lusty tracks, but they love him for his simplicity and depth. R.O. is diligent with his art and you can tell that music is his one true love. He never goes off course to make his work match up with what is deemed popular in mainstream rap. You could call him a modern throwback. The work is real and speaks to an audience with no hype, no extras. Mallory uses some unexpected tracks, showing his versatility, and is all about substance. His music “makes people think, as opposed to dance.”
So what is in it for R.O.? Aside from his love of music, and that love needing to be fostered, his dream is “to be able to support my family through music.” In his loved ones he has found some of his biggest fans. His parents are happy that he is following his passion and they truly believe in their son’s talent.
He has worked with producers Young Zack, Richie Mars, and Shamus on getting his best out there for the public. “Letting Go” was inspired by what led him to make the transition from Poughkeepsie to Charlotte and about the process itself. It speaks of “letting go of your past to move forward.” Growing up his peers got “caught up” in the street life and he decided to make the move and create something positive. The video of the same name was filmed in downtown Charlotte and is very similar, in nature, to his work. No dancing hotties or no flashy whips - just the city, the artist, and the profile of an attractive woman. Viewers see him alone, in his thoughts, like he surely was when he penned the song. He tells of what he has seen “I’ve seen everything in our community except the window called opportunity”. He explains the lack of in between in choices for youth “heaven or hell…freedom or jail”. While telling what he has seen he also declares what he is looking forward to, “Imma get whatever is meant for me.”
Another favorite is “Soul Survivor”. This one is all about being an island of one, going for his dreams with his standards and expectations set. He tells of others who got caught up, “Wore a mask so long, you forgot what you look like.” He says he is more of an outcast and knows “exactly who I am supposed to be.” In “There’s Only One” he proclaims “I shot for the stars until I became one”. The video for the song is another winner and was directed by Young Zack. It features R.O. in a lighter mood than “Letting Go” and the camera even catches a sexy sleepy smile or two. Catch this joint on his upcoming CD “Capture the Essence”. The name “sums up my work,” he says. “The message is universal with no gimmicks, pure artistry.”
He collaborates with Greek and M Dot the Addict for “We on It” where he hits the lyrics hard. “Gave You Love” is over the Sade track and tells about love, or should I say lust, on a hip-hop level. In “Vigilante Thoughts” he shares those thoughts while “searching for knowledge of self”. He says on another YouTube shot “my heart is bigger than my ego” and he is not one to boast. But ladies will certainly appreciate the eye candy. Without even trying, he comes packaged with talent and sex appeal. It is only a matter of time before a label, big or small, picks him up and runs with him.
So how is the world of the independent artist in this day and age? The world of social media has “made a world of difference”, he says. “It is a free outlet.” Like others, it has made it possible to get his music out “across the globe.” Watch out for R.O. in 2012. Besides the release of “Capture the Essence” he is teaming up with other independent artists to create a group, much like the lyrical solo artists that formed the successful Slaughterhouse in 2009. Follow him on Twitter at RO845 and like him on Facebook, and then check out his work on SoundCloud and YouTube.
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